CAMRA

Champion Winter Beer of Britain 2009
Attila conquers all!

Oakham’s Attila from Cambridgeshire has today been crowned the Supreme Champion Winter Beer of Britain 2009 by a panel of judges at the CAMRA National Winter Ales Festival in Manchester. The 7.5% ABV barley wine is described by the brewer as having ‘fruity notes and an elderflower aroma, with the taste of ripe red berries and citrus fruit and a long bitter fruity finish.’ Graham Donning, Festival Organiser, praised the winning beer for its accomplishment: ‘This is a spectacular beer with a great following, and a deserved winner. There are few barley wines remaining in this country, and Attila is a wonderful example for anyone who is yet to try this rare beer style.’ Oakham’s success came after ‘Attila’ won a gold medal in the Barley Wine category at the Dudley Winter Ales Festival back in November. Winning meant that the beer’s place in today’s final was guaranteed. John Bryan, Head Brewer of Oakham Brewery, was delighted at hearing the results: ‘It’s a great start to what might turn out to be an otherwise gloomy year. We’ve already found success with this beer at another event in 2009, so to win this award as well is fantastic for us. Each batch takes around 5-6 months, and this award shows it’s time well-spent.’ Also in the Overall Awards, Silver medal went to Elland Brewery’s 1872 Porter, whilst the Bronze medal went to Sarah Hughes’s Dark Ruby. A panel of CAMRA experts and leading beer writers judged the competition at the New Century Hall, Manchester. Drinkers at the National Winter Ales Festival will now be able to sample the winning brews, as well as a formidable selection of over 200 different beers, including a range of ciders and perrys. Reigning victorious at the Winter Ales Festival, Oakham’s Attila will now be entered into the final of the Champion Beer Of Britain competition, taking place in August 2009 at the Great British Beer Festival, Earls Court, London.

National Winter Ales Festival 2009: Champion Winter Beer of Britain 2009
Winners List

Old Ales & Strong Milds
Gold (First Place) Sarah Hughes, Dark Ruby, W Midlands
Silver (Second Place) Bryncelyn, Buddy Marvellous, Ystradgynlais
Bronze (Third Equal Place) Orkney, Dark Island, OrkneyTheakston, Old Peculier, North Yorkshire

Stouts
Gold (First Place) Bristol Beer Factory, Milk Stout, Bristol
Silver (Second Place) Beowulf, Dragon Smoke Stout, Staffordshire
Bronze (Third Place) Spire, Sgt Pepper Stout, Chesterfield

Porters
Gold (First Place) Elland Brewery, 1872 Porter, West Yorkshire
Silver (Second Equal Place) Fullers, London Porter, LondonTownes, Pynot Porter, Derbyshire

Overall Result
Gold - Champion Winter Beer Of Britain 2009 Oakham, Attila, Cambridgeshire*
Silver - 2nd Place Elland Brewery, 1872 Porter, West Yorkshire
Bronze – 3rd Place Sarah Hughes, Dark Ruby, West Midlands